Photo: Flickr / EGBE
Photo: Flickr / EGBE
A fine mess is brewing at the heart of Cabinet this weekend, after another major airline was left in the lurch with regards to South Africa’s new travel laws. Lufthansa, Germany’s biggest carrier, saw some of its passengers refused entry to Mzansi due to mass confusion over the updated visa rules. However, more problems are brewing in the skies above…
Do Germans need a visa to visit South Africa? It’s complicated…
As per IOL, The German Embassy in Pretoria confirmed it was aware of disruptions and was working on finding a solution. The German Foreign Office has since updated its travel advisory to South Africa, stating it was not known whether a visa was required and was seeking clarification. Travellers were advised to check before departing.
The confusion has the potential to shut down one of the most popular travel routes between South Africa and Europe, with Lufthansa now mulling their options. They wouldn’t be the first major airline to ditch SA in the past few days, either…
What are the new travel laws for South Africa?
The news comes just as Emirates confirmed they would not be operating any flights to South Africa, due to one of the more bizarre travel laws published by the government last week.
All flight crews will be asked to self-isolate upon arrival in South Africa, severely limiting the personal movement of cabin staff and pilots alike. The UAE aviation firm has refused to accept this, and instead, pulled all flights to SA from its roster.
Lufthansa and Emirates ‘pull out of South Africa’ – and more airlines could follow
The humbling has proved too much for the DA, who are livid with the ruling party. Manny de Freitas is the shadow tourism minister, and he has implored his opposite number in government – Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane – to clairfy this matter urgently. As well as Lufthansa and Emirates, it’s understood that other airlines could also suspend operations with Mzansi.
“Another prominent international airline for South Africa, Lufthansa, was reportedly refused entry at OR Tambo International Airport for not meeting the visa requirement – when this requirement seemingly does not exist. The Tourism Minister should also clarify unconfirmed reports that German travellers would be welcomed in South Africa without visas.”
“Information supplied to the DA indicates that virtually every airline is now withdrawing flights to South Africa in the midst of growing confusion relating to international travel. Once again, this has made us the laughing-stock of the travel world”
